Fuquay-Varina Officials Will Not Comment On Job Status Of Two Police Officers

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FUQUAY-VARINA, N.C. — Two Fuquay-Varina officers were placed on leave in July after accusations they acted inappropriately after a chase, but town leaders will not respond to reports that they have been fired.

Police Chief Stacy Pleasant will not tell WRAL if officers John Smith and Andy Hunt are still on the force in Fuquay-Varina. Pleasant has not had anything to say since Aug. 1, when WRAL learned that the officers had been placed on administrative leave.

At the time, the town manager acknowledged officials were looking into Hunt and Smith's actions following a July 18 police chase.

The trouble began for the officers when, according to public records, Dean Stancil ran from police trying to pull him over. Stancil was driving his mother's Camaro. She said police ransacked the car and damaged her cell phone after her son ditched the car.

A police officer filed a complaint with the town about how fellow officers Hunt and Smith handled the situation. That complaint led to the investigation.

Now, both the town manager and the private attorney who represents Fuquay will not tell WRAL about Hunt and Smith's status. They said they cannot comment on personnel matters.

WRAL has not been able to reach Smith and Hunt for comment, but their situation may not be the only trouble brewing at the police department. Town officials confirmed that a federal discrimination charge has been filed, but it is unrelated to the police chase.